Fsu's Defense Up For Challenge

Lee Roberts Of Southern Mississippi Is The First Of Several Tough Quarterbacks Florida State Will Face.

November 16, 1996|By Alan Schmadtke of The Sentinel Staff

TALLAHASSEE — When they file through their notebooks and game books of the quarterbacks who have tried and failed to beat them, Florida State's defensive backs voice one opinion in unison: The hardest tests are still to come.

North Carolina, Miami and Virginia hit third-ranked FSU with as solid an offensive game plan as the Seminoles have seen by any three teams in one season recently.

Only one quarterback, Miami's Ryan Clement, threatened them.

Until tonight.

The third-ranked Seminoles (8-0) begin a series of exams that will determine how real their chances are at a national championship.

No. 25 Southern Mississippi (8-2) brings with it quarterback Lee Roberts, a pocket passer in the mold of North Carolina's Chris Keldorf.

''If you're asking if we're a championship defense right now, I can't say that,'' FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. ''We've been outfought for the ball a few times, and we're having to fight like crazy to make plays.

''You don't just all of a sudden wake up and tell yourself, 'OK, let's be great.' It doesn't work that way.''

The way it has worked at FSU is the way it usually works when players stay healthy. Florida State's defensive backs have, for the most part, and Andrews said he has seen constant improvement.

Keldorf, the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading passer, was 16-for-35 for 147 yards against FSU, and he produced no points. However, the Seminoles sacked him eight times and pressured him a dozen others.

Clement was 20-for-31 for 267 yards and two scores, by far the best outing of any passer this year against FSU.

Virginia's Tim Sherman has the only other touchdown pass FSU has given up, but it came against a second-team secondary.

Tonight comes Roberts, followed by Brian Cummings of Maryland next week and then Danny Wuerffel of Florida on Nov. 30. Wuerffel has more touchdown passes than any quarterback in NCAA history except one.

The Seminoles know they're not supposed to give up plays to Roberts or Cummings. Wuerffel will be favored to make several.

Regardless, FSU's defensive backs said they're willing to challenge what many believe is the weak link in a strong defensive armor.

Said cornerback James Colzie: ''I'm sure there are people who still doubt us, but we're playing the best we've played all year. We're ready to play anytime somebody wants to line up.''

Andrews has tried several lineups in his secondary. Troy Saunders, Rolle and Colzie all have played opposite Byron Capers at cornerback.

He continues to rotate the threesome, although Colzie is listed as a starter for Saturday.

The Seminoles have posted enviable numbers through eight games. In addition to the low touchdowns-surrendered total, FSU is holding opponents to a 45.1 percent completion rate, 151.4 passing yards per game and a 26.1 percent third-down conversion rate.

That said, Roberts, a redshirt sophomore who won a job because of his arm, has 10 touchdown passes in five games.

But FSU's defensive backs have only six interceptions. They have dropped at least as many more.

By contrast, ACC leader Dre' Bly alone has nine in nine games for North Carolina.

''There were some adjustments for us to make this year, but we still just have to go out and make plays,'' Colzie said. ''We just have to get our hands on balls and keep the balls out of the receivers' hands.''